Host our apprenticeship team in your class!

Laura Duckworth serves as the Director of Occupational Programs for University of Virginia Facilities Management. She first joined UVA FM in 2014 as the Director of Occupational Health and Safety. In 2017, FM Occupational Programs was created and added to her responsibilities. Occupational Programs now includes FM-OHS; Occupational Training; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; and the UVA FM Apprenticeship Program.

Laura is a workforce development strategist and organizational effectiveness leader specializing in program startups and revitalization utilizing business tactics, resource alignment, and collaboration. A thought leader in the statewide apprenticeship and workforce development spaces, she is passionate about building regenerative workforce pipelines to support business continuity and growth and to provide opportunities to local jobseekers.

Laura has over 20 years of experience building, refurbishing, and managing programs that support successful business operations with a strong background in health and safety. Under Laura's leadership, Facilities Management has shown an increase in employee involvement in the development of workplace safety initiatives, an increase in employee investment in the FM Apprenticeship Program, the development of an Inclusive Excellence Plan, and greater offerings for the professional development of FM employees.

Prior to UVA, Laura held positions at George Mason University, GlaxoSmithKline, and the North Carolina Department of Labor, OSH Division, including a commissioner-appointed position as interim Executive Director of the Ergonomics Center of North Carolina.

Laura holds a bachelor's degree in economics from George Mason University and a master's degree from Old Dominion University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from University of Dayton.

Julie Thomas joined Facilities Management in 2018 as the Occupational Training Manager. Occupational Training facilitates career enrichment for employees through training, education, and leadership opportunities, as well as collaborating with resources from across grounds to bring unique learning opportunities to FM employees. In 2024, Julie became the acting Apprenticeship Program manager. Julie is enthusiastic about working with these groups to enhance her colleagues' personal and professional wellbeing.

Danny Davis joined the UVA Facilities Management Apprenticeship Program as program manager in June 2023. In addition to nearly two decades of experience working in and managing the skilled trades, Danny has a passion for teamwork and helping others gain success in life for both their own and their communities' benefit.

Danny's professional experience includes administering technical education to audiences from diverse backgrounds. Most recently, he served as the Registered Apprenticeship Education Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, where he worked closely with state leadership on standardizing procedures related technical instruction (RTI) for Virginia's Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

Additionally, Danny holds a Commonwealth of Virginia Technical Professional License, is a certified OSHA #500-Standards for Construction trainer, a certified NCCER Master Trainer, and a certified NCCER Craft Instructor in three skilled trades areas. He uses his trades knowledge and experience to create an accessible, hands-on training program to produce a regenerative pipeline of skilled trades workers at UVA FM.

Tom Castellanos moved to Virginia in 2008 from New Jersey where he owned his own plumbing and HVAC business. He joined University of Virginia Facilities Management in 2011 as a plumber and in 2014 was promoted to plumbing supervisor. In 2019, Tom also began working evenings as a plumbing instructor at Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC), where he discovered his passion for teaching willing learners.

Tom has his master plumbing licenses in Virginia and New Jersey; plumbing, HVAC, and master trainer certifications from NCCER; and commercial plumbing inspector and plumbing plans examiner certifications from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

Tom graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked at the Hyatt Regency during the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Tom is excited to mentor and share his knowledge with all the up-and-coming men and women apprentices who have chosen the trades as their career path. He also enjoys piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.

Sarah Ditulli serves as Training and Development Coordinator for Facilities Management Occupational Training. Prior to joining Facilities Management in 2017, Sarah served in administration and office management with various trades and small businesses. She excels in support, consumer relations, and organization and process management. She holds a bachelor's in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Training Certification from the Association for Talent Development.

In her current role, Sarah is responsible for the coordination and management of licensing and continuing education for FM's skilled trades employees and new employee onboarding. She ensures employees and supervisors have the resources and support needed within these programs. She also develops and facilitates of training to fit FM's diverse needs, as well as assisting the FM Apprenticeship Program with administrative, recordkeeping, and grant funding needs.

Sarah is fascinated by interpersonal dynamics and personality. She has discovered the immense value of psychology in her training career. She is enthusiastic to put her unique spin on the offerings Occupational Training has in store and looks forward to fulfilling the career development needs of the FM community.